When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, its a good core workout. If youre sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More

In the past 30 years, light artists have reimagined an art form that has always had the ability to turn the night sky, or a simple window, into luminescence. Last fall, the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts turned its southern glass wall into a parade of sound-sensing lights, Lightswarm, that changes with the movements of nearby people and things. Future Cities Lab, the San Francisco design company behind Lightswarm, has originated another notable light sculpture. Located by the YBCA's steps at 701 Mission, Murmur Wall will light up in arresting ways as it incorporates local trending search engine results and social media postings. Onlookers can offer their own contributions, which will feed into the Murmur Wall's data stream and light up the sculpture. What's trending in San Francisco? If you're walking by the YBCA, you can see firsthand — at least through light patterns that reflect the city's volatile internet habits.
Murmur Wall debuts Thursday at 6 p.m. and continues through May 31, 2017, at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St., S.F. Free; 415-978-2700 or ybca.org. More

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Recently the Balboa Park community came out in droves to celebrate the fruits of its labor: the overhaul of the Balboa Park playground, soccer field, and everything in between. The project has been underway for a little under a year and the work and contributions of the community have finally paid off.

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Jamie McKenzie

The park still has that "new park" smell, whatever that means, and is still undergoing some changes, but for the most part, it is stunningly green and clean and ready for play.

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Jamie McKenzie

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Jamie McKenzie

The community celebrated with cultural dancing, free food, and tons of games and activities for parents and kids alike. One of the features of the Balboa renovation, the brand new skate park, reflects the interests of the population of young parents in the area who are eager to teach their wobbly young'uns the craft of skateboarding, a passion they wish to pass on to the next generation. A skate park for toddlers! What other city has that?

Jennifer Isacoff, Director of Parks to the People, commented on how incredibly helpful the Balboa Park community was during the few years it took to get the project underway, saying, "People really wanted this to happen." She also added that folks even offered to write grants to aid in the park's renovation, which as we all know, is awful, soul-sucking work.

The turnout of the Balboa community, their efforts and enthusiasm, and the wonderful dances that took place were surprisingly moving. Community is king in a big city, and San Francisco knows how to get it done. Balboa Park should be proud. For more info, and to hear about the other awesome S.F. park re-haul projects in store visit www.tpl.org.

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The Balboa Park community was actively involved in the renovation.

We caught a beautiful dance performance while we were there, complete with horns blowing, huge feathered headdresses, and shelled ankle bracelets. Highlights to watch for: A super hot, almost naked male dancer, amazingly timed seagull cry (no, we did not add it in!), and an adorable, clueless little girl trying to dance along. Enjoy!

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Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"